Thousands of treasures which belonged to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor -- perhaps best known as Edward VIII and Mrs Simpson -- are being put under the hammer by their current owner, the Harrods boss Mohammed Al Fayed.

The entire collection, which includes the desk at which the former king abdicated the British throne in 1936, was bought by Mr Al Fayed after the Duchess's death in 1986. He has been renovating and completing the collection, and is selling it in New York next week.

Home's contents

The Duke's abdication desk, a George III mahogany library table, made in about 1755, is expected to sell for between $30,000 and $50,000.

In total there are more than 40,000 objects, collected into 3,200 lots, which have come from the couple's Paris home where they lived after the abdication until their deaths. The auction is expected to take nine days.

childhood, his early years when he was considered perhaps the most popular Prince of Wales up to that time, his brief reign as King Edward VIII and his abdication.

"It extends through his courtship and marriage to Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor, and to the Paris years during which they were undisputed leaders of society and key figures in the world of twentieth century fashion."

Works of art

Among the collection are a group of 10,000 photographs, which were discovered in a covered bath in the house while renovation was taking place. There are also paintings by Munnings and Degas.

It is ten years since the Duchess's jewels were sold, also by auction, following her death.

Mr Al Fayed said his family wished to use more of the Windsor residence for their own use. He had decided to sell its contents to give them the space to be able to do so.